Articles by Saniya Bulatkulova

ASTANA – The Turgai geoglyphs, a number of massive earth constructions arranged in geometric shapes the size of several football fields located in the Turgai Trough in northern Kazakhstan, once captured global attention and became one of the most sensational discoveries in the country’s history. The mysterious earthworks dating back approximately 8,000 years ago have…

ASTANA – The Caspian Seal Research and Rehabilitation Center (CRRRC), Kazakhstan’s only organization providing veterinary treatment for Caspian seals, won a grant from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) and the Rufford Foundation charitable fund, according to the center’s press service. The center’s scientists will direct funds to study the Caspian Sea coastal…

ASTANA – The Kazakh capital is bursting with fun activities not only throughout the week but during the weekend too. If you are tired of doing the same old things and need to change the pace up or just need some fun, make a habit of checking out the list that The Astana Times compiles…

ASTANA – Raquel Reinagel, 28, swapped Texas’s humid weather for Astana’s continental climate five years ago to gain new work experience and work as an English teacher at Nazarbayev University’s Center for Preparatory Studies. It was a life-changing moment for her.  She quickly learned Kazakh well enough to maintain conversations with people, found a new…

ASTANA – Kazakh graphic designer Ruslan Yesentayev, 32, dazzled Kaznet with the pictures he made using an artificial art generator. A series of photos depicting how popular movie characters with the Kazakh facial features might look like and images of Ayaz Ata with Akshakar (characters similar to Santa Claus and Snow Maiden) became especially popular…

ASTANA – The people from the Kenshoky village in the Karagandy Region recently initiated a Kazakh tazy breed fan club to preserve and popularize the nation’s unique breed, according to the region’s akimat (city administration).  Dias Meirkhanov created an Instagram page for the club, which now has more than 4,000 followers. “We share videos from…

ASTANA  – We do not always have the opportunity to spend time doing the things that we enjoy without work obligations or commitments intruding on our busy schedules. The weekend is perfect chance to recharge. If you are willing to go out and about this weekend, then consider The Astana Times list of activities for…

ASTANA – The Buyratau National Nature Park is still not as popular as conservation areas located in the southern and western parts of the country. Still, it is definitely worth a visit because some real wonders of nature are hidden there. Established in 2011, it is the 12th national park in Kazakhstan and extends over…

ASTANA  – Altyn Emel National Park located in the Almaty Region published a video of the rare Kumai bird species sitting on Ulken Kalkan mountain on the right bank of the Ili River on its Instagram account. According to the park’s press service, Ili forestry head Didar Bazarbekov came across the bird while on duty…

ASTANA – The capital residents appreciate winter for many reasons and the opportunity to experience a wide range of outdoor fun is one of them.  Even though the city is full of spots for skiing, ice skating and ice slides, going beyond the city can offer residents a change in scenery and a chance to…

ASTANA  – Even though the upcoming weekend promises to be cold and snowy, the Kazakh capital is still ready to host a series of cultural events that will help lift your mood. The Astana Times has picked out some of the most fascinating events scheduled for Jan. 13-15. “Suono nuovo” chamber music evening on Jan.…

ASTANA – Semei hosts the “Windows” exhibition of journalist Ruslan Shakabayev featuring graphic works on the ancient houses of the city. The artist’s work seeks to preserve the city’s history for centuries to come at the Fyodor Dostoevsky Literary and Memorial Museum. The exhibition will run through Jan. 14.   Shakabayev painted a series of landscapes…

ASTANA – The past week may have seemed tedious and simply too long for the residents of Kazakhstan after having four days off from work, however, the upcoming weekend will be highlighted with another holiday – Orthodox Christmas Day –  which is celebrated through the night of Jan. 6 to Jan. 7. If you are…

ASTANA – Karagandy Region’s language teaching center translated the world-famous bestseller “The Hoods” by Harry Grey into Kazakh as part of the project aimed at translating world literature into the Kazakh language, the regional akimat (city administration) reported.  The autobiography is based on the gangster experiences of Grey, whose real name was Herschel Goldberg. It…

ASTANA  – Kazakhstan’s Nomad Stunts team will perform stunts for the full-length historical film “Tamerlan” to be released on the Netflix streaming service platform, announced the team’s press service. The historical movie tells the story of Tamerlan, also known as Timur, a Central Asian ruler and Timurid Empire founder, and how he became a strong…

ASTANA – The Medeu open-air ice skating rink, which bears the status of the world’s largest high-mountain complex for winter sports, hosted many festive events to celebrate its 50th anniversary on Dec. 25, according to the Almaty city’s akimat (city administration).  A brief history of the Medeu skating rink The skating rink, with an area…

ASTANA  – With the New Year fast approaching, it is important to finish work up, take a breath and recharge your batteries as the holiday night is likely to be energy-consuming. The Astana Times has drawn up a list of events scheduled for the remaining days of December and first days of the New Year…

ASTANA – French documentary photographer Frederic Noy’s “Alash Orda” photo essay depicting the Kazakh culture and lifestyle appeared in numerous international magazines, including French Le Monde, Le Pèlerin, Le Figaro Magazine, Japanese Newsweek Japan, Norwegian Aftenposten Innsikt and British The Guardian, throughout a year. A series of 22 photos dazzles with their depth as Noy…

ASTANA – Kazakh scientists announced the results of their archaeological excavations and restoration works carried out as part of a three-year project on the ancient Otyrar city’s partial restoration during a meeting with Kazakh Minister of Culture and Sports Dauren Abayev in the Turkistan Region on Dec. 10, according to the ministry’s press service. Otyrar…

ASTANA  – December seems to be one of the busiest months of the year for many reasons. We summarize the results and draw up annual accounts at work, create a list of goals for the upcoming year, make conclusions for ourselves and prepare for the New Year or Christmas celebrations. To avoid exhaustion and high…

ASTANA – Kazakh artist Omirkeldy Abeuov, 74, created more than 60 wood and bone artworks and contributed to the development of wood art in Kazakhstan, but above all, he is creating patterned mats and tapestries. His works were exhibited in Germany, Romania and the Czech Republic. Abeuov is an honorary citizen of Balkhash city, and…

ASTANA – Kazakh kuresi or Kazakh wrestling is one of the most ancient national sports and has a sacred significance for the Kazakh nation as it reflects the people’s spirit and their aspiration for freedom. The Kazakh kuresi World Championship that kicked off in Astana on Dec. 12-14 was one of the numerous events that…

ASTANA – Wyndham Residence Aqkol Club, the country’s first hotel providing service in preventive and anti-aging medicine, will open its doors in the second half of 2023 near the town of Akkol located 110 kilometers away from Astana, according to QZ Property company. During the project’s presentation last week, the company’s executive director Elmira Kablanbayeva…

ASTANA – The upcoming weekend will be longer than usual due to the Independence Day celebration on Dec. 16. The holiday plays a significant role for Kazakh citizens as the country’s Supreme Council adopted a law on Kazakhstan’s independence and state sovereignty 31 years ago. Since then, numerous cultural and sports events across the country…

ASTANA  – The Caspian Sea, located in the Mangystau Region, once again amazed Instagram users with its stunning view. Aktau resident Azamat Sarsenbayev, author of numerous videos featuring Kazakhstan’s nature, published a video of the sea partially covered with ice on Dec. 5.  “The frosts hit especially hard this year. Even the Caspian Sea is…